Three Willis residents arrested for drugs, counterfeit money

Kassia Micek

Published
6:00 pm CST, Wednesday, March 30, 2005

Rodney Eaves, 24, was charged with forgery, possession of marijuana, prohibited weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm. Lisa Martinez, 30, was arrested for possession of marijuana, and Terrance Traylor, 22, was arrested for forgery.

"I think this is the first time counterfeit money has been found since I've been here," said Willis Police Chief James Nowak, who took over as chief in January.

Willis Det. Carl Jones, four Willis police officers and four Secret Service agents conducted the searches simultaneously just after midnight. Eaves and Martinez lived at 101 Will St., while Traylor resided at 100 Will St. #5 in the Will Street Patio Homes.

While searching the two residences, investigators seized counterfeit money, a computer and peripheral equipment to make counterfeit currency.

Officers have been investigating counterfeit currency in the Willis area for the past few weeks after the Willis City Hall, a local school, a car lot and a restaurant in Conroe received counterfeit money.

"The drug stuff was totally unexpected," Nowak said.

While searching the homes, officers were surprised to discover a marijuana-growing facility. Seized were 16 live marijuana plants, lighting and gassing equipment, marijuana seeds and seed bedding supplies, other paraphernalia, about a 1-pound bag of marijuana and a short-barrel firearm.

Eaves, Martinez and Traylor are being held at the Montgomery County Jail. Eaves is being held on bonds totaling $10,500. Martinez is being held on a $1,000 bond, and Traylor is being held on a $3,000 bond.

Forgery, unlawful possession of a firearm and prohibited weapon are third-degree felonies punishable by two to 10 years in jail and a fine not to exceed $10,000. Possession of marijuana is a state jail felony punishable by 180 days to two years in jail and a fine not to exceed $10,000.

Eaves was found guilty of forgery in 2003 and possession of marijuana in 1999 and 2003. He also was found guilty of driving with an invalid license in 2003.

In 2004, Traylor was found guilty of theft by check. Martinez has no former charges.

Will Street residents said they haven't had any problems with the three arrested individuals.

Kathy Regel said she didn't know the individuals personally, but one of them asked her for 2 eggs earlier this week and another borrowed her hoe to work on his mother's garden. Regel said a lot of her neighbors are Christians and she was surprised something like this happened.

Jennifer Stanley, Will Street Patio Homes account representative, said no one has reported any suspicious people at the complex or any problems related to the arrests.

"I haven't had any problems in the past, especially with that unit," Stanley said.

The Secret Service will investigate whether other reports of counterfeit money in the area are connected to Eaves, Martinez and Traylor.